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First birthday dress and crown

This is the outfit I made for my daughter’s first birthday. It’s special enough for her big day, but not precious enough to only wear once. I used the bodice with ruffled sleeves from the brynnberlee Brooke dress pattern, which I have made before and which is very cute, if vintage-ly short (ie perfect length for an almost-walker, but matching nappy cover is in order). Instead of adding the pleats, I cut a simple a-line skirt and added an overlay using a stretch tulle that I found in a matching colour. It’s pretty hard to see (and photograph)!

To add the overlay, I cut the tulle 1/2 inch wider than the skirt. I don’t have any fancy feet or indeed a fancy sewing machine, so I sewed the sides of the tulle using a narrow stitch with a piece of tissue paper underneath which could be torn away afterwards. The tissue paper stopped it from gathering and trimmed the seams, which do not need to be finished as the tulle doesn’t fray. Then I put the tulle over the skirt and sewed it to the bodice as one piece.

I only added one buttonhole as I found a big button in a matching colour in my vintage button box. Perfect!

And then on the morning of her birthday I finished off this floral felt crown while we waited for our guests to arrive. Inspired by a gorgeous one I saw in an etsy store that appears to have closed, it’s a simple crown shape made of two layers of felt with interfacing between joined with covered elastic band at the back. Happy birthday little one!